Message to Labour spokesperson/policy makers on education
A few thoughts to consider if we are to develop a 21st Education System
Dear Mr Hipkins.... |
A few thoughts to consider if we are to develop a 21st Education System
If Labour is to put the welfare of people ahead of economics (the current privatization winner/loser scenario of the National Party) then the creativity of all citizens must be the number one policy to develop the common good of an inclusive and productive society.
Labour needs to revisit Peter Fraser/Dr Beeby’s vision of providing all students with an ‘education of the kind they are best fitted and to the fullest extent of their powers’. This vision has never
been realized. What would this mean in a 21stC environment?
Dr Beeby |
.
Such a vision requires a move away from current standardisation, through the conformity ofNational Standards, towards the challenge of personalisation of learning
Place the currently sidelined 2007 New Zealand Curriculum centrestage – appreciating that its full implementation requires more than current
tinkering if all students are to succeed and be able to ‘seek, use and create their own knowledge’. ( NZC)
5
Reinterpret the so called ‘achievement gap’ as
an 'opportunity gap’ .
– ensure these students gain experiences required to
develop positive learning identities
Sidelined! |
While valuing literacy and numeracy as vitally
important foundational skills they need to be ‘reframed’ to allow students to ‘seek, use and create their own knowledge’.
Question the destructive consequences of ability
grouping, streaming and setting ( struggling students need to be seen as
lacking opportunities not intellect). This needs challenging!
8 Encourage schools to do fewer things well to
develop deep understanding and dispositions to learn.
Encourage innovative learning integrated/collaborative organisations to
engage students at the years 7-10 ages where student disengagement kicks in providing an
environment for a range of student talents and abilities to be developed.
1 Value the creativity of individual class
teachers and explore ways to share their expertise to break down isolation that
many teachers feel. Provide opportunities for schools/teachers to collaborate to share ideas.
1 Encourage
all schools to develop innovative programmes to suit the needs of their communities ( as
suggested in the NZC).
Consider setting up an educational conference/
series of conversations similar to the 1936 New Education Conference that
contributed ideas to the Fraser /Beeby vision. As in 1936 invite a range of innovative thinkers to contribute to such conversations. Make use of modern technology to share ideas.
See education as a process that begins before birth and continues throughout life - at the very least track students to their first jobs/tertiary training.
See education as a process that begins before birth and continues throughout life - at the very least track students to their first jobs/tertiary training.
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